Cambridge Audio Alva Duo - Stereo Moving Magnet and Moving Coil Phono Stage/Pre-Amplifier - Lunar Grey

Product Information

For more critical assessment and expecting a less mellow presentation I moved on to our McIntosh MCI52 reference power amplifier with a Music First Audio passive magnetic preamplifier (0dB gain) that acted as a transparent volume control ahead of it. Everything I pipe through this preamp sounds velvety smooth. There’s a complimentary warmth to the sound that works wonders with my vinyl library. A phono preamp, phono stage, or turntable preamp is an audio element for amplifying the signal from a turntable. This way, you can easily connect it to a modern sound system like an MP3 or CD player.

Generally, the iFi Zen Phono produces excellent sound. It takes all that turntable offers without adding anything but only polishes every note to make the best sound. Second, the addition of an Auxiliary input restores the input used by the SpinStage when it’s connected to an amplifier that has only a few inputs. For example, a system that includes a CD player or other device may need the input used by the SpinStage. If you’re in the market for a quality affordable phono stage, this little Award-winning box is well worth auditioning.

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We love the scale of performance and the way the Vertere delivers the seismic dynamic shifts of the recording with so much enthusiasm. As with the previous generation (also an Award-winner), our main takeaway after hearing this phono stage is that it makes listening to music interesting and, where appropriate, fun. There’s not much we can ask of any piece of hi-fi beyond that. For the purposes of this comparison, I used 4 turntables to give each unit an opportunity to shine and expose any warts or glaring shortcomings. For starters, iFi is a brand known for its outstanding products that compete with the best in the market at affordable prices. Better still, it allows the user to be more ambitious in settling, not for anything less. Prices valid in stores (all including VAT) until close of business on 28th November 2023. (Some of these web prices are cheaper than in-store, so please mention that you've seen these offers online.)

The Cambridge does a little bit of everything, and it does so while looking and feeling the money’s-worth. If you’ve got a record player you can’t hear, the Alva Duo is for you. You shouldn’t buy the Cambridge Audio Duo if… Often, it appears as a curve on a graph describing how a device responds to sound in a specific frequency range. On the chart, the “x” axis is for the frequency response in (Hz) hertz, while the “y” axis is the sound pressure level in (dB) decibels.I have shown the noise spectrum using log display now to show more detail in low frequencies. And also included that of moving coil input (in blue). We clearly see the 60 Hz mains noise plus other harmonics going on and on. And our 19 kHz or so spurious tones. It uses high-quality capacitors of Panasonic and TDK to enable precise clarity and low distortion. Its distinct low-noise power supply produces noise as low as -151dBV hence, offering a solid preamplification. Performance So why do you need one? Your stereo amplifier or turntable may not have one, in which case you won't be able to play records without this crucial component. Or you might just want to upgrade its sound beyond what's possible with the built-in phono stage found in amplifiers or some record players. When buying a phono stage, a compact and lightweight choice is ideal. There’s little to no space next to the turntable; hence, a tiny preamp would fit easily.